Chapter 77: To Invite Ruin Part Two

    The wind howled in Abaddon''s ears as he soared high above the treetops, his black wings slicing through the sky like blades of shadow.

    Below him lay the gathering forces of House Raine and House Meldon, their troops ready for battle on the barren expanse between the two territories.

    His lips curled into a devilish grin, and his eyes gleamed with malice.

    "How shall I play this?" he murmured to himself, his voice laced with sinister amusement.

    "Should I crush their will outright and watch as they writhe in despair before hunting them down one by one?"

    He chuckled softly, the sound echoing against the wind. "Or perhaps... I could offer them a glimmer of hope if they kill their cimrades, a lie so sweet they turn against each other in a futile effort to survive, only for me to deliver the final blow. To put on a show for my enjoyment."

    He laughed darkly, the sound like the growl of distant thunder.

    "Humans destroying themselves—it''s always the most entertaining spectacle. Their self-righteous filth, their delusions of honor... such sweet sins to witness." He decided, his grin widening. "The second option it is, then."

    With that, Abaddon accelerated, his wings propelling him forward in a blur of shadow and speed.

    Meanwhile, on the battlefield...

    The forces of House Raine stood in rigid formation, their crimson banners fluttering in the wind.

    At their helm was Commander Arlen Voss, a tall man with short, steel-gray hair and piercing blue eyes.

    His sharp, angular face had the smug expression of someone who believed himself untouchable.

    Across the field, the soldiers of House Meldon held their ground. Their commander, Velder Meldon, stood stoically at the forefront, his long auburn hair tied back, revealing emerald-green eyes that glinted with his resolve. His face, wrinkled by age and battle, hade this calm resolved expression as he gripped the hilt of his sword.

    Their voices echoed across the battlefield through communication crystals held by their subordinates.

    "House Meldon," Arlen''s voice boomed, filled with mockery, "I will offer you one last chance to surrender. Lay down your arms, and perhaps your pitiful house may yet survive."

    Velder''s reply was firm, he wasent backing down.

    "House Meldon will not bow to fool who wish to being the empire to further ruin. If you wish to cross this field, you''ll do so over our corpses."

    Arlen''s lips twisted into a smug smile. "Suit yourself," he said, raising his arm. "Knights of House Raine! Forward! Take their land and their pride!"

    The soldiers of Raine roared as they surged forward, weapons gleaming in the light.

    BOOM!

    The earth shuddered violently as a figure descended from the sky, landing in the midst of the battlefield with an impact that sent dust and debris flying in all directions.

    The charging knights halted suddenly, their cries of war turning to startled gasps.

    Abaddon straightened slowly, his massive black wings unfurling. Six wings, each larger than a man, spread wide, casting a shadow over the field.

    Feathers drifted down like dark snowflakes, each one that touched the earth causing the soil to decay and crumble into ash.

    "Planning to start the party without me?" Abaddon asked, his deep voice echoed effortlessly over the silence of all the knights.

    Abaddon''s eyes narrowed, his smile fading into a look of cold irritation.

    "Did I ask for your opinion?" he growled. Without warning, he swung his blade in a wide arc.

    BOOM!

    The dark energy erupted from his sword, crashing into the center of the Raine forces with a deafening roar.

    The blast sent bodies flying, armor torn apart as though it were paper. A dozen knights disintegrated instantly, their screams cut short as they were reduced to ash.

    Others were left writhing on the ground, missing limbs, their cries of agony echoing across the battlefield.

    "No! My arm! It''s gone—gods, it''s gone!" one knight screamed, clutching at the bloody stump where his arm had been.

    "Help me! Someone, please!" cried another, his voice breaking as he crawled through the debris, dragging his shattered legs.

    The survivors stumbled back, their faces pale with terror. "This... this can''t be real," one whispered, dropping his sword. "We''re doomed... We''re all doomed."

    "Enough," Abaddon said sharply. He raised his again, the blade glowing ominously. "I don''t think you understand. If you don''t do as I say, every last one of you will die here. Right now."

    He lowered his blade slightly, the faint hum of its destructive mana filling the air. "So, decide. Do you value your own life enough to take another? Or would you rather perish with them?"

    The knights hesitated, their resolve crumbling under the weight of his words. Some began to weep, while others stood frozen in shock. Slowly, the first knight raised his sword, his hands trembling.

    "I-I can''t die here... I have a wife. A daughter. I can''t leave them," he stammered, his voice shaking as he turned to face his comrades.

    "Wait!" another knight shouted, his face filled with fear. "I have a family too! Don''t do this!"

    "I''m sorry," the first knight whispered before plunging his sword into the other man''s chest.

    Frome there... The battlefield descended into chaos. Knights turned on one another, their cries mingling with the clash of steel.

    "I don''t want to die!" one screamed as he charged at his comrade.

    The disabled ones still alive were the first targets.

    "You bastard! I trusted you!" another yelled, blood splattering as he fell.

    "Please... please don''t kill me!" begged a young knight, tears streaming down his face. His plea was answered with a blade through his heart.

    The knights of House Meldon, watching from a distance, stood in silence. One of them, a grizzled knight, shook his head, his eyes wide in fear.

    "To force men to betray their own on the battlefield... it''s not just death he''s bringing them. It''s shame. The survivors will carry this stain forever."

    Another Meldon knight, younger and wide-eyed, whispered, "This isn''t war... it''s a nightmare."

    Abaddon observed the carnage with a satisfied smile, his eyes gleaming with delight. He chuckled darkly, the sound sending shivers down the spines of everyone present.

    "That''s it," he said as he raised both hands. "Scream for me. Cry out in your despair. Show me the depth of your selfishness and fear."

    "Show me how far you are willing to go, how many sins are you willing to commit!"